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In mountainous areas, an automatic gearbox is not always as comfortable as you might think. The same goes for a hybrid: both require active driving, with frequent downshifting and conscious use of engine braking. A hybrid often offers just a bit more torque uphill and extra regenerative braking downhill. However, that does not replace the need to intervene yourself. Want to know how to drive best with both drivetrains? Read on.
How do you drive an automatic in the mountains?
An automatic normally changes gear by itself, but in mountainous terrain that does not always work pleasantly. The car may keep hunting between gears. Power then drops away or the engine keeps revving high. To prevent that, switch to manual mode (M) or sport mode (S). That way you decide which gear you drive in and you prevent the transmission from constantly hesitating.
Uphill it is important that the car can still accelerate easily. The engine must be able to deliver enough torque without struggling. Therefore choose a suitable gear. If you notice that your speed is dropping and the revs are getting too low, then shift down. A driving holiday in the mountains requires conscious driving behaviour, even with an automatic.
Downhill, the trick is not to rely on the brakes for long periods. Instead, use engine braking by shifting to a lower gear. With an automatic you do this via the manual mode or by choosing a low gear such as D2 or L. This uses the engine to slow the car, reducing the load on the brakes and helping to prevent them from overheating.
‘ So do not count on regenerative braking being sufficient for downhill sections of several kilometres. ’
Tips for hybrids uphill and downhill
A hybrid often has stronger pull uphill thanks to the extra torque from the electric motor. This makes driving smoother and prevents the car from losing speed on steep stretches. Going uphill, you therefore feel less often the need to shift down than with a comparable petrol car without electric assistance.
Downhill, regenerative braking is an advantage: the electric motor then works as a generator and charges the battery while the car slows down. This is pleasant on gentle descents and in small towns. But on long, steep descents the effect can diminish. The battery then becomes full or works less efficiently when it is still cold. So do not count on regenerative braking being sufficient for downhill sections of several kilometres.
Also use engine braking with a hybrid. Choose a low gear or switch to manual mode to build up more resistance. If you want even more braking through regeneration, some hybrids offer a strong regenerative mode. Even with that mode, it is still wise to brake briefly and firmly now and then if your speed does rise, rather than keeping your foot on the brake for a long time.
Mountain gear: when to engage it during a road trip?
Many automatics have a special mountain gear or mountain programme. This is a mode in which the transmission upshifts less readily and stays in a lower gear for longer. With some cars this is called ‘sport mode’. With other brands you see a separate symbol or you shift manually to a lower gear.
Engage the mountain gear as soon as you start a climb or descent, not halfway through. This prevents the automatic from shifting unnecessarily and the engine from lacking power. The same applies to descents: choose a lower mode before starting the descent, so the engine braking works straight away and you do not have to keep braking.
Do not use cruise control on downhill mountain sections. The car will not react quickly enough to sudden changes in gradient and may even accelerate to maintain the set speed. That means extra strain on the brakes and less control. On steep stretches, taking manual control is always safer.
Which mode do you use uphill and downhill?
Uphill, switch to S (sport mode) or M (manual) as soon as the car keeps hunting between gears. In sport mode the transmission stays in a lower gear for longer, so the revs remain higher and the engine can deliver more power. In manual mode you decide when to change up or down, which is especially pleasant on varying gradients.
Downhill, select a low gear such as D2, L or a manually selected gear. The lower the gear, the stronger the engine braking. Your speed may still rise on very steep sections. Then shift down one more gear. The engine will then brake more strongly and the brakes will stay cool.
With hybrids things often work slightly differently. Some models have a B mode (brake) or a strong regenerative mode that provides extra braking force. That mode charges the battery during descents and eases the load on the brakes. Be aware that this mode is not always equally powerful, particularly when the battery is already full. In that case, still shift down to a lower gear or top up with short braking.
Preparation for a drive through the mountains
Before you set off on a mountain drive, it is sensible to check a few things:
- Check tyre pressure and tyre condition. Insufficient pressure can cause wear and reduce grip on winding mountain roads.
- Check the brakes. On long descents they are heavily loaded, so make sure discs and pads are in good condition.
- Check the coolant. In the mountains the engine works harder, especially uphill in high temperatures.
- Make sure you know how to activate manual mode or the mountain gear. That saves searching while on the road.
When pulling away on a hill, use the handbrake or hill start assist. This prevents the car from rolling back before you accelerate. Most modern cars have this function as standard, but check it before departure if you are unsure.
What will you notice in practice?
Many drivers find that an automatic or hybrid drives pleasantly in the mountains, but does not completely do everything for them. Especially on long mountain passes it is important to shift down early, otherwise you lose speed or suddenly have to brake hard. On descents, the car can start to float or shift restlessly if you leave everything to the automatic.
With hybrids, it stands out that regenerative braking downhill is mainly pleasant on gentle descents or in villages. On longer, steep sections the effect can diminish. Some drivers notice that the battery then becomes full. The battery can also be less effective when it is cold. So even with hybrids, engine braking remains important.
The most frequently mentioned tip: shift to a lower mode before the descent and do not wait until halfway down to brake when your speed is already rising. That saves the brakes and gives you more control. For holidaymakers who do not drive in the mountains every day, this is a simple but valuable habit.
Automatic or hybrid: which should you choose for the mountains?
Both drivetrains are suitable for mountainous terrain, provided you drive actively. An automatic is comfortable on short, rolling sections, but requires manual intervention as soon as the terrain becomes steeper. A hybrid offers extra torque uphill and regenerative braking downhill, which is especially pleasant on gentle routes and in towns. But a hybrid also requires conscious shifting and use of engine braking.
If you want to drive longer mountain passes, choose a car that allows you to switch easily to manual mode or a clear mountain gear. That way you stay in control and spare the brakes. A hybrid is particularly attractive if you also want to benefit from more efficient driving and regeneration, but it does not replace the need to actively manage gears and braking.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find much more information about driving holidays, routes through Europe and practical tips for on the road. Discover which mountain passes best match your travel plans and how to prepare your car properly for a trip through mountainous regions.
Frequently asked questions
A hybrid generally offers the most comfort and ease of driving in the mountains, thanks to the extra electric torque when climbing and the regenerative braking on descents. This allows the car to pull away more smoothly and means you need to use the mechanical brakes less heavily. However, it remains important, even with a hybrid, to use engine braking and lower gears actively on long or steep descents.
A hybrid is usually more economical than a conventional automatic in the mountains, because the electric motor helps mainly when pulling away and climbing slowly, and recovers energy on descents. A regular automatic makes the engine run under load more often and for longer, which increases fuel consumption and therefore travel costs, especially on long and steep stretches. Active use of low gears and engine braking remains important with both, to avoid unnecessary braking and therefore additional consumption. Over a complete mountain road trip, a hybrid will therefore usually be noticeably more favourable in total fuel and travel costs.
A (full) hybrid often offers the best combination of performance and reliability on mountain roads in practice, thanks to the extra torque for strong acceleration and the support of regenerative braking. For genuinely strong engine braking on long descents, both an automatic and a hybrid depend on you consciously selecting a lower gear or manual mode. In pure “performance” (pulling through, accelerating), a hybrid usually feels stronger and calmer than a comparable regular automatic. In terms of technical reliability, both systems are in principle suitable, as long as you spare the brakes by using engine braking and do not drive downhill for long periods on the foot brake alone.
Yes, with a hybrid it is important to realise that regenerative braking becomes less effective on long, steep descents when the battery is (almost) full or cold, meaning you still need to use engine braking and the mechanical brakes clearly. Do not let the automatic or hybrid transmission ‘hunt’ for gears in the mountains, but select a lower gear or manual/S mode in good time, both uphill (enough revs/torque) and downhill (engine braking). Never rely solely on the foot brake when going downhill; brake briefly and firmly if your speed rises, then let the car slow down again on the engine. Avoid using cruise control on steep sections and double-check brakes, tyres and coolant before you set off.
